Garment including an abrasion resistant fabric

ABSTRACT

An abrasion-resistant garment may include a first fabric layer with a first recovery property and a first direction, and a second fabric layer with a second recovery property and a second direction. The first recovery property is greater than the second recovery property. The second fabric layer is disposed on the first fabric layer in a predetermined orientation of the first direction and second direction to provide enhanced sliding of the second fabric layer along the first fabric layer.

FIELD

Garment including an abrasion resistant fabric.

BACKGROUND

Bicycling has seen a recent surge in popularity, both in terms ofrecreational activity and interest in competitive events. However,bicycling carries an inherent risk of crashes and falls. Recreationalriders can commonly reach speeds in excess of 30 miles per hour. Duringcompetitive races these speeds may even exceed 60 miles per hour. When acrash occurs serious abrasions and lacerations may occur to the rider.Especially high risk areas for abrasions and lacerations during a crashinclude the upper and lower back, shoulders, upper and lower arms,knees, buttocks, outer hips, and outer thighs. These abrasions andlacerations have been termed “road rash” and are generally accepted asan inherent part of the sport.

It has become common practice to wear helmets to reduce head injuriesboth during recreational and competitive bike riding. Theireffectiveness in reducing the number and severity of head injuries iswell documented. Similar protective clothing is desirable to protectagainst abrasions and lacerations of the body during an energetic impactwith the riding surface. Certain protective bicycling apparel usespatches of high strength materials, such as Kevlar, to simply act as ashield against abrasion with the riding surface.

SUMMARY

The inventor has recognized and appreciated a need for providing agarment, as well as other gear, that offers improved protection fromabrasions and lacerations during impacts against a surface, such as maybe experienced during a bicycle crash. While the invention is disclosedspecifically in connection with bicycling apparel, other apparelarrangements are contemplated as are other types of protective gear.

In one exemplary embodiment, an abrasion-resistant garment includes agarment body having a first fabric layer with a first recovery propertyand a first direction, and a second fabric layer with a second recoveryproperty and a second direction. The first recovery property is greaterthan the second recovery property. The second fabric layer is disposedon the first fabric layer in a predetermined orientation of the firstdirection and the second direction that provides enhanced sliding of thesecond fabric layer along the first fabric layer. The garment body maybe formed substantially of the first and second fabric layers, or thefirst and second fabric layers may be provided at localized areas of thegarment (e.g., high risk or abrasion prone areas).

In another exemplary embodiment, an abrasion-resistant garment includesa garment body having a first fabric layer with a first fabric layerportion having a first direction, and a second fabric layer with asecond fabric layer portion having a second direction. The second fabriclayer portion is disposed on the first fabric layer portion. The area ofthe second fabric layer portion is greater than the area of the firstfabric layer portion by 5% to 30%. The second fabric layer portion isdisposed on the first fabric layer portion in a predeterminedorientation of the first direction and the second direction thatprovides enhanced sliding of the second fabric layer portion along thefirst fabric layer portion. The garment body may be formed substantiallyof the first and second fabric layers, or the first and second fabriclayers may be provided at localized areas of the garment (e.g., highrisk or abrasion prone areas).

In a further exemplary embodiment, an abrasion-resistant garmentincludes a garment body having a first fabric layer with a firstdirection, and a second fabric layer with a second direction. The secondfabric layer is disposed on the first fabric layer in a predeterminedorientation of the first direction and the second direction thatprovides enhanced sliding of the second fabric layer along the firstfabric layer. The first fabric layer is subject to a greater tensileload than the second fabric layer when the garment is in a fitted state.The garment body may be formed substantially of the first and secondfabric layers, or the first and second fabric layers may be provided atlocalized areas of the garment (e.g., high risk or abrasion proneareas).

In another exemplary embodiment, an abrasion-resistant garment includesa garment body having a pocket with a first pocket fabric layer and afirst direction. A pad includes a second pad fabric layer with a seconddirection, the pad being receivable in the pocket with a predeterminedorientation of the first direction and the second direction to providean enhanced sliding of the pad relative to the first pocket fabriclayer. The garment body may include first and second fabric layers withthe direction of such first and second fabric layers oriented to provideenhanced sliding of the second fabric layer relative to the first fabriclayer. The garment body may alternatively, or in addition, include afirst fabric layer with a first recovery property and a second fabriclayer with a second recovery property, wherein the first recoveryproperty is greater than the second recovery property. The garment bodymay be formed substantially of the first and second fabric layers, orthe first and second fabric layers may be provided at localized areas ofthe garment (e.g., high risk or abrasion prone areas).

It should be appreciated that all combinations of the foregoing conceptsand additional concepts discussed in greater detail below (provided suchconcepts are not mutually inconsistent) are contemplated as being partof the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. In particular, allcombinations of claimed subject matter appearing at the end of thisdisclosure are contemplated as being part of the inventive subjectmatter disclosed herein.

The foregoing and other aspects, embodiments, and features of thepresent teachings can be more fully understood from the followingdescription in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. In thedrawings, each identical or nearly identical component that isillustrated in various figures may be represented by a like numeral. Forpurposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in everydrawing. Various embodiments of the invention will now be described, byway of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of two fabric layers oriented ina predetermined enhanced sliding relationship;

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a two layer abrasion resistantfabric;

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of an abrasion resistant fabricintegrated into a larger base fabric layer;

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of an abrasion resistant fabricwith a first and second layer having different areas;

FIG. 5 is an exemplary representation of a shear force being applied toloose outer and inner fabric layers disposed on skin;

FIG. 6 is an exemplary representation of a shear force being applied totaut outer and inner fabric layers disposed on skin;

FIG. 7 is an exemplary representation of a shear force being applied toa relatively loose outer fabric layer and a taut inner fabric layerdisposed on skin;

FIG. 8 is an exemplary representation of the compression applied by thefirst and second fabric layers;

FIG. 9 is an exemplary representation of the different tensile loadingof the outer and inner fabric layers;

FIG. 10 a is a schematic perspective view of a dynamic friction testingsetup;

FIG. 10 b is a schematic perspective view of a dynamic friction testingsetup;

FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view of an abrasion testing setup;

FIG. 12 is a schematic front view of a jersey incorporating abrasionresistant fabric in localized high risk areas;

FIG. 13 is a schematic back view of a jersey incorporating abrasionresistant fabric in localized high risk areas;

FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view of an arm warmer incorporatingabrasion resistant fabric in localized high risk areas;

FIG. 15 is a schematic perspective view of a legging incorporatingabrasion resistant fabric in localized high risk areas;

FIG. 16 is a schematic top view of a tube like garment incorporatingabrasion resistant fabric;

FIG. 17 is a schematic end view of the tube like garment presented inFIG. 16 incorporating a single seam;

FIG. 18 is a schematic end view of the tube like garment presented inFIG. 16 incorporating two seams;

FIG. 19 is a schematic perspective view of a cycling bib incorporatingabrasion resistant fabric and a pocket for an additional pad;

FIG. 20 is a schematic perspective view of a pad being placed into apocket in the abrasion resistant fabric; and

FIG. 21 is a schematic perspective view of a pocket formed by theabrasion resistant fabric.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It should be understood that aspects of the invention are describedherein with reference to the figures, which show illustrativeembodiments in accordance with aspects of the invention. The embodimentsdescribed herein are not necessarily intended to show all aspects of theinvention, but rather are used to describe a few illustrativeembodiments. Thus, aspects of the invention are not intended to beconstrued narrowly in view of the illustrative embodiments. It should beappreciated, then, that the various concepts and embodiments introducedabove and those discussed in greater detail below may be implemented inany of numerous ways, as the disclosed concepts and embodiments are notlimited to any particular manner of implementation. In addition, itshould be understood that aspects of the invention may be used alone orin any suitable combination with other aspects of the invention.

An abrasion resistant fabric for use in a garment and other applicationsmay include a plurality of fabric layers with at least a first innerfabric layer and a second outer fabric layer. Each of the fabric layersmay be made from a knitted material, woven material, non-woven material,other fabric constructions, and combinations of any of the forgoing. Thedirection of each of the at least two fabric layers may have apredetermined orientation to provide enhanced sliding of the secondouter fabric layer. When in the predetermined orientation, thecoefficient of friction between the layers is substantially reduced incomparison to at least one other orientation and the outer layer is ableto more freely slide. In one embodiment, the inner fabric layer of theabrasion resistant fabric may be tensioned to a greater extent and/orprovide a greater amount of compression as compared to the outer fabriclayer. Without wishing to be bound by theory, a more taut inner fabriclayer may permit the inner fabric layer to remain in fixed contact withthe underlying skin. The taut inner fabric layer may also provide asmooth regular surface for the adjacent outer fabric layer to slideupon. In addition, the taut inner fabric layer may prevent bunchingand/or misorientation of the two layers both of which may result inincreased friction and/or binding between the layers. During an impactor crash, the movement of the outer fabric layer over the inner fabriclayer, and the reduced coefficient of friction between them, may reducethe transmission of a shear force from the outer fabric layer to theinner fabric layer in contact with the underlying skin.

In certain embodiments, the abrasion resistant fabric may beincorporated into a garment at high risk and/or abrasion prone areas.Without limitation, the abrasion resistant fabric may be placed at oneor more of the following areas: the upper back, lower back, shoulder,upper arm, lower arm, knee, buttock, outer hip, and outer thigh. In oneembodiment, patches of the abrasion resistant fabric may be applied in,or to, a base garment. Alternatively, the garment may be made entirelyfrom the abrasion resistant fabric. Possible garments that mayincorporate, or be substantially formed of, the abrasion resistantfabric include, but are not limited to: a shirt, jersey, jacket, vest,arm warmer, short, pants, tight, knicker, leg warmer, knee warmer, kneebrace, sock, glove, baseball sliding short, undergarment, and chap.Where desired, the individual layers of the abrasion resistant fabricmay be selected to provide various properties of breathability, wicking,and/or moisture removal. The fabric layers may also further include highstrength fibers to provide additional abrasion resistance.

Turning now to the figures, several possible embodiments are describedin further detail.

An abrasion resistant fabric 2 may have a first inner fabric layer 4 anda second outer fabric layer 8, with the second fabric layer disposedover and, as shown in FIG. 1, on the first fabric layer. The abrasionresistant fabric may include additional fabric layers, such that one ormore fabric layers are added beneath the first fabric layer, above thesecond fabric layer, or between the first and second fabric layers. A“direction” of a fabric is a well known term in the textile arts. Forexample, warp yarns define a direction of a woven fabric and rows of aknit define a direction of a knit fabric. The first inner fabric layer 4has a first direction 6, indicated by the arrow. The second outer fabriclayer 8 has a second direction 10, indicated by the second arrow. Thefabric layers may be oriented in a predetermined enhanced slidingrelationship to reduce the coefficient of friction between the fabriclayers 4 and 8. Reducing the coefficient of friction between the fabriclayers 4 and 8 may lower the amount of transmitted shear force to theunderlying skin during a crash. In the depicted embodiment, the firstand second directions 6 and 10 may be substantially oriented at 90°relative to one another. In other embodiments, the direction of onelayer may be oriented substantially between 60° to 90° with respect tothe other layer. In another embodiment, the direction of one layer maybe oriented substantially between 45° to 90° with respect to the otherlayer. In some embodiments, the coefficient of friction between fabriclayers 4 and 8 may be anisotropic with regards to a clockwise versuscounter clockwise orientation (i.e. +90° vs. −90°). Therefore, it may bedesirable to determine an enhanced orientation of the directions of thetwo fabric layers and to dispose the second fabric layer on the firstfabric layer in such a predetermined enhanced directional orientation.

Each fabric layer of abrasion resistant fabric 2 may have a right side,4 a and 8 a, intended to face outwards and a wrong side, 4 b and 8 b,intended to face inwards toward the skin of an individual. Some fabricproperties of engineered fabrics, such as wicking and moisture removal,may only function properly when the fabric is arranged with the rightside facing outwards. The second fabric layer 8 may be disposed on topof the first fabric layer 4 with the wrong side 8 b of the second fabriclayer 8 in contact with the right side 4 a of the first fabric layer 4.

In one embodiment, one or both of the fabric layers may be configuredwith desired wicking and/or moisture removal properties. In the justmentioned embodiment, and/or in other embodiments, the outer fabriclayer 8 may be made from a high stretch material and/or have a smoothregular surface. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believedthat a high stretch material with a smooth regular outer surface may beless likely to tear or shred during a crash. In certain embodiments, theouter fabric layer 8 may be formed of, or include, high strength fibers,providing additional abrasion resistance. In a further embodiment, theinner fabric layer 4 may have a smooth surface and may be made of a highthread count material. In one embodiment, a high thread count materialmay be 36-gauge or greater. Without wishing to be bound by theory, thecoefficient of friction between the layers may be inversely related tothe thread count of the materials. Therefore, in some instances higherthread count materials may exhibit correspondingly lower coefficients offriction. In addition to the above, the fabric layers may include arelatively high percentage of elastic-type fibers (e.g., SPANDEX) toboth increase the compression of the fabric layers and/or furtherdecrease the coefficient of friction between the fabric layers. In oneembodiment, the fabric layers may comprise 14%-22% elastic-type fibers(e.g., SPANDEX).

After right and wrong faces of inner and outer fabric layers 6 and 8 arearranged and fabric directions 6 and 10 are appropriately oriented, asdepicted in FIG. 1, the inner fabric layer 4 and outer fabric layer 8may be joined together by a seam 12, as shown in FIG. 2. The fabriclayers are joined together such that the outer fabric layer may sliderelative to the internal fabric layer. In one embodiment, the fabriclayers may include a seam along a periphery of a portion of each fabriclayer. In another embodiment, the fabric layers may be joined along asingle seam to form a dual layer tube-like member as might be used for alegging or sleeve. For larger sections of material, the fabric layersmay include a plurality of regularly spaced seams to avoid bunching ormisalignment of the fabric layers. In such an embodiment, the seams maybe appropriately spaced to allow sufficient sliding of the outer fabriclayer. The fabric layers may be joined together using any appropriatemethod including, but not limited to, sewing, adhesives, and thermalbonding.

In some embodiments, as depicted in FIG. 3, a smaller outer fabric layer8 may be attached to a larger inner fabric layer 4. Alternatively, asmaller inner fabric layer 4 could be joined to a larger outer fabriclayer 8. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3, the area of the innerfabric layer and outer fabric layer defined by seam 12 is the same. Inanother embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 4, the area of outer fabriclayer 8 defined by seam 12 is greater than the area of inner fabriclayer 4 defined by seam 12. Regardless of the fabric arrangements andorientation, relative sizing of the fabric layers, or the method used tojoin the layers together, fabric layer 8 may slide relative to fabriclayer 4 within the area defined by seam(s) 12 when in the fitted state(i.e. worn by an individual).

The relationship between the tautness of the fabric layers and thetensile loads and compression present in an abrasion resistant fabric 2in the fitted state will now be discussed. The tautness of the fabriclayers may be related to the tensile load corresponding to the restoringforce acting in the plane of the fabric layers, as depicted in FIG. 9.The tensile load may correspond to a hoop force substantially orientedin the circumferential direction of the covered body part. Thecompression provided by the fabric layers may correspond to the forcedirected inwards against the covered body part, as depicted in FIG. 8,and may be substantially oriented perpendicular to the fabric layers.Without wishing to be bound by theory, an increase in the tautness of afabric layer, and the corresponding increase in tensile load, may resultin an increase in the compression provided by the fabric layers to anunderlying covered body part.

The preferential abrasion resistance of the inventive fabric ispresented in more detail in FIGS. 2 and 5-7. A shear force 14 may beapplied to fabric 2 in both an x and/or y direction, as shown in FIG. 2.A shear force 16 may be applied to outer fabric layer 8 of abrasionresistant fabric 2 while disposed on the skin 18 of an individual, asdetailed in FIGS. 5-7. The shear force transmitted to skin 18 isrepresented by shear force 20. Without wishing to be bound by theory,the friction between the fabric layers, and the ability of at least oneof the fabric layers to slide relative to the other, may affect theshear stress 20 transmitted to underlying skin 18. As detailed above,the fabric layers may be oriented in a predetermined enhanced slidingrelationship to reduce the friction between the layers and the shearstress transmitted to the underlying skin. However, the relativetautness of, and compression provided by, each fabric layer may alsoaffect both the friction between the layers and the ability of one orboth of the fabric layers to slide. For instance, when inner and outerfabric layers 4 and 8 are both loose, as depicted in FIG. 5, bunchingand misalignment of the abrasion resistant fabric may occur limiting theslidability of one or both layers. Consequently, skin 18 may experiencea relatively high shear force 20. When both inner and outer fabriclayers 4 and 8 are taut, as depicted in FIG. 6, the increasedcompressive force from outer layer 8 may result in increased frictionbetween is the two fabric layers. Thus, skin 18 may again experience arelatively high shear force 20. When inner fabric layer 4 is relativelymore taut than outer fabric layer 8, as depicted in FIG. 7, and fabriclayer 8 is not so taut as to excessively increase the friction betweenthe layers, outer fabric layer 8 may slide along inner fabric layer 4,thus, reducing the shear force 20 transmitted to skin 18.

In view of the above, the inner fabric layer may be configured to bear agreater tensile load and/or provide a greater amount of compression ascompared to the outer fabric layer when the abrasion resistant fabric 2is in a fitted state. An exemplary representation of the relativecompression applied by the first fabric layer 4 and second fabric layers8 to a limb 22, or other body part, in the fitted state, is presented inFIG. 8. The greater compression provided by the inner fabric layer 4 isindicated by the larger arrows 24. The lesser compression provided bythe outer fabric layer 8 is indicated by the smaller arrows 26. FIG. 9presents an exemplary representation of the different tautness of eachfabric layer as represented by different tensile loading. Inner fabriclayer 4 is subject to a greater tensile load 28 in the fitted statedthan is outer fabric layer 8.

Providing a tighter fitting inner fabric layer 4 may help to reduce thefriction between opposing layers. Without wishing to be bound by theory,it is believed that a taut inner fabric layer 4 may provide a smoothregular surface for the outer layer to slide upon and also help to avoidmisalignment and bunching of the inner and outer layers during loadingsuch as might be experienced during a crash. Misalignment of the layersand/or bunching of the material may lead to either increased frictionbetween the layers and/or less desirable sliding of the outer layerrelative to the inner layer. Alternatively, if the compression from, orthe tautness of, the outer fabric layer 8 is too great, the amount offriction between the fabric layers may increase due to the increasednormal force. Therefore, the relative compression provided by, and thetautness of, each fabric layer for a desired fit of a garment, may beselected to avoid misalignment and bunching of the layers as well asexcessive friction at the interface between the fabric layers.

One way to characterize a fabric layer is by its stretch and/orrecovery. A stretch property of a fabric is a measure of how much afabric can stretch in its length and/or width dimensions, and is usuallyexpressed in terms of a percentage. A recovery property of a fabric,sometimes referred to as modulus, defines the degree to which a materialexerts a restoring force to pull itself back to its original size andshape. Recovery is usually expressed in terms of a percentage. Recoverymay also be expressed in terms of a mass needed to stretch a fabric acertain percentage (this may be measured in grams). For example, asweater may be stretched by deformation of the knit structure. This isknown as “mechanical stretch”. However, because the knit structure isrelatively loose, the sweater does not exert a particularly largerestoring force. By comparison, SPANDEX has both “mechanical stretch”and “material stretch”. Namely, the base material that each thread ismade of is able to stretch. This imparts a larger restoring force in asweater including SPANDEX as compared to a sweater without elasticfibers. This difference in the restoring force may be characterized as adifference in the recovery of each fabric. For instance a fabric with arecovery of 80% will experience a larger restoring force than a fabricwith a recovery of 30%. Similarly, a fabric with a recovery property of1000 grams will experience a larger restoring force than a fabric with arecovery property of 100 grams. So, two geometrically identicaltube-like garments would provide different amounts of compression whenmade from fabrics with different amounts of recovery. Similarly, thedifference in tensile loads present in two geometrically identicalfabrics, when strained by the same amount, may be proportional to thedifference in the recovery property of the two fabrics. However, whentwo fabrics are not geometrically identical, the fabrics may havedifferent strains when deformed. The difference in strains may result indifferent tensile loads in the two fabrics even when the two fabricshave substantially the same recovery property. Consequently, thedifference in tensile loads present in different fabrics may be afunction of both the difference in recovery properties and differencesin the areas and/or strain of the fabrics when in a fitted state.

In view of the above, the compression provided by, and the tautness ofeach layer may be expressed using the recovery percentage of a fabriclayer. In one embodiment, the first inner fabric layer 4 has a firstrecovery property greater than a second recovery property of the secondouter fabric layer 8. In some embodiments, the first recovery propertymay be at least 5%, 10%, 15%, or 20% greater than the second recoveryproperty. In certain embodiments, the first recovery property may begreater than any of the forgoing percentages and less than 230% greaterthan the second recovery property. In another embodiment, the firstinner fabric layer 4 has a greater tensile load than the second outerfabric layer 8. In some embodiments, the tensile load of the first innerfabric layer 4 may be at least 5%, 10%, 15%, or 20% greater than thetensile load of the second outer fabric layer 8. In certain embodiments,the tensile load of the first fabric layer 4 may be greater than any ofthe forgoing percentages and less than 230% greater than the tensileload of the second outer fabric layer 8. In yet another embodiment, thecompression provided by, and the tautness of, each layer may beprovided, at least in part, by a difference in size of the fabriclayers. In such an embodiment the fabric layers are stretched bydifferent amounts (i.e. different strains) when in the fitted state. Itis this difference in the amount of deformation of each layer thatprovides the difference in compression and tautness of each fabriclayer. In one embodiment, a first area of the first fabric layer 4 isgreater than a second area of the second fabric layer 8 by 5% to 15%.Alternatively, the first area may be 5%-30% greater than the secondarea. Therefore, the difference in compression provided by, and tautnessof, each fabric layer may be due to a difference in an intrinsicrecovery property of each fabric layer and/or the sizing of each fabriclayer.

Dynamic friction tests were performed for various fabric layercombinations and fabric direction orientations, see FIGS. 10 a and 10 b.During testing, inner fabric layer 4 was the bottom layer and outerfabric layer 8 was the upper layer. The bottom layer was strained to 10%and held prior to, and during, testing to provide a taut inner surfaceas would be present when incorporated into a garment and in the fittedstate. A known mass 32 was applied to the top of outer fabric layer 8. Aforce 34 was then applied in the horizontal direction. Once mass 32obtained a steady state velocity, force 34 was recorded to determine adynamic coefficient of friction between the two layers. Testing wasconducted for multiple orientations of the first direction 6 and seconddirection 10 as depicted in FIGS. 10 a and 10 b. Fabrics were testedfrom multiple manufacturers, including MITI Spa and Christian EschlerAG. Fabrics tested from MITI Spa included Action, Ariane, Asteria,Asteria Pro, Coach Interpower, Gavia, Lombardia, to Matrix, Shield,Superdry, Tahiti, Thermoair, Thermoroubaix, Topazio, Wave, and Zaffiro.Fabrics tested from Christian Eschler AG include product numbers 11497,63182, 63285, 63835, 63872, 63934, 63942, and 63944. A summary ofselected test results is presented in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Dynamic Friction Testing Inner Outer Fabric Layer Fabric LayerOrientation μ Dry μ Wet 63934 Matrix 0 0.88 ± 0.10 1.01 ± 0.12 63934Matrix +45 0.62 ± 0.06 0.71 ± 0.08 63934 Matrix −45 0.63 ± 0.06 0.70 ±0.08 63934 Matrix +90 0.38 ± 0.03 0.44 ± 0.05 63934 Matrix −90 0.42 ±0.03 0.48 ± 0.05 63934 63835 0 0.81 ± 0.10 0.94 ± 0.12 63934 63835 +300.65 ± 0.09 0.77 ± 0.11 63934 63835 −30 0.71 ± 0.09 0.83 ± 0.11 6393463835 +45 0.58 ± 0.07 0.68 ± 0.08 63934 63835 −45 0.58 ± 0.07 0.68 ±0.08 63934 63835 +60 0.43 ± 0.05 0.50 ± 0.06 63934 63835 −60 0.50 ± 0.050.59 ± 0.06 63934 63835 +90 0.34 ± 0.03 0.40 ± 0.04 63934 63835 −90 0.36± 0.03 0.42 ± 0.04

As detailed above in Table 1, the coefficient of friction decreases asthe orientation is varied from 0° to 90°, with the 90° orientationhaving the lowest coefficient of friction for the tested fabric systems.The tested fabrics had a range of coefficients of friction in a ±90°orientation ranging from approximately 0.3 to 0.4 in the dry state and0.4 to 0.5 in the wet state. However, it is possible that coefficientsof friction between the layers may be as low as 0.15 or less when thesefabric layers are combined with low surface energy coatings, such as asuper hydrophobic coating, or when the layers are made from finerfabrics.

Abrasion testing was conducted for selected fabric combinations from thedynamic friction testing. Videos of bicycle crashes were analyzed todetermine an approximate coefficient of friction between a rider and theground. Without wishing to be bound by theory, an average coefficient offriction between a rider and a dry smooth pavement may be calculated fora bicycle crash by assuming: a constant normal force equal to theestimated weight of a rider, bicycle, and equipment; estimating thedistance of a crash; and calculating the initial kinetic energy of arider. The calculated coefficient of friction from multiple examinedcrashes was approximately 0.6-0.7 on dry smooth pavement. To simulatethe crash a high speed belt sander 36 was fitted with a belt having acoefficient of friction between 0.6-0.7 (600 grit). A flesh analog 38was then wrapped in the abrasion resistant fabric 2 with an approximaterelative orientation of 90° between the two fabric layers. The abrasionresistant fabric 2 was stretched as it would be in the fitted state.Flesh analog 38 may be any number of materials ranging from chickenbreasts, to whole pig carcasses, to ballistics gel. The average skinarea in contact with the riding surface during a crash was estimated todetermine an average normal pressure applied to the skin during abicycle crash. The average normal pressure was estimated to be 13.8 kPa(2 psi). Normal force 40 may be selected to provide the calculatedaverage normal pressure 13.8 kPa (2 psi) to flesh analog 38 duringtesting. After flesh analog 38 is positioned and normal force 40 isapplied, the belt sander 36 may be activated to turn the belt in adirection 42. The average speed for crashes during competitive events isapproximately 27.5 MPH. The speed and duration of testing may beselected to dissipate a similar amount of energy per unit area asexperienced during an actual bicycle crash. The duration of testing mayinclude an appropriate factor of safety to take into account themultiple assumptions regarding average contact pressures, coefficientsof friction, and/or differences between an actual crash speed and thetesting speed. The present abrasion testing was conducted at 21.6 MPHfor six seconds to simulate the energy dispation of a two second crashat 27.5 MPH with a conservative factor of safety. After testing, theabraded surfaces were evaluated and the performance of each fabriccombination was evaluated. Results from the abrasion testing arepresented below in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Abrasion Testing Inner Fabric Outer Fabric Layer Layer μ (+90°)Result 63934 Matrix 0.38 ± 0.03 Mild 63934 63835 0.34 ± 0.03 Moderate63934 Asteria — Moderate 63934 Asteria Pro — Severe 63934 63182 —Moderate Zaffiro Matrix — Mild Zaffiro 63835 — Moderate Zaffiro Asteria— Moderate Zaffiro Asteria Pro — Severe Zaffiro Shield — Mild Zaffiro63182 — Moderate

As presented above in Table 2, several fabric combinations that yieldedlow friction coefficients in the earlier tests were tested for theirabrasion characteristics. Without wishing to be bound by theory, and asillustrated from the first two results presented in Table 2, and therelated coefficients of friction, the interlayer frictional propertiesand abrasion properties appear to be independent. The fabric systemcomprising 63934, as the inner fabric layer, and 63835, as the outerfabric layer, yielded the lowest friction coefficients wet or dry.However, 63835 had a waffled pyramidal texture. Without wishing to bebound by theory, 63835, when used as an outer fabric layer tended tograb the abrasive belt, stretch, and then tear, exposing the innerlayer. The fabric system comprising 63934, as the inner fabric layer,and Matrix, as the outer fabric layer, had a slightly higher coefficientof friction, but performed better in abrasion tests. The Matrix fabricwas flatter and more planar in structure than 63835. Without wishing tobe bound by theory, the lack of pyramidal or other protruding structureson the Matrix fabric produced less friction with the abrasive belt. Forpractical purposes, all of the fabric systems discussed in Table 2 couldbe used in sports apparel. However, the more abrasion-resistantcombinations may be more desirable for the highest risk locations suchas the elbow, shoulder, knee and buttocks. In one embodiment, lessabrasion-resistant combinations could be placed in lower risk areas suchas the back and lower leg, and could be optimized for other parameterssuch as muscle compression, aerodynamics, heat stress, and/or visualaesthetics.

Sports garments 44 may incorporate abrasion resistant fabric 46 atlocalized high risk areas as depicted in FIGS. 12-15. High risk areasmay include, but are not limited to, the upper back, lower back,shoulders, upper and lower arms, knees, buttocks, outer hips, and outerthighs. Alternatively, the garment may be made entirely from theabrasion resistant fabric 46. Two embodiments of a tube like garment 48,as might be used for a sleeve, are presented in FIGS. 16-18. Tube likegarment 48 may include inner fabric layer 4 and outer fabric layer 8arranged and oriented as detailed above. Outer fabric layer 8 maycompletely envelope inner layer 4 and include a single seam 50 as shownin FIG. 17. Alternatively, layers 4 and 8 may be formed as two seamlesstubes and/or may be seamlessly joined together. In another embodiment,outer fabric layer 8 may only be positioned on a portion of inner layer4 and include two or more seams 50 as shown in FIG. 18.

In some embodiments, one or more pads may be incorporated into a garment44, such as the bicycle bib depicted in FIG. 19 or other possibleprotective articles. The pad(s) may provide additional impact protectionin areas such as the outer hips, knees, elbows, or other appropriatelocation. A pocket 52 for selective insertion or removal of a pad 54 maybe provided on either of inner fabric layer 4 or outer fabric layer 8,or between the two fabric layers. The pocket 52 may be formed of theinner and outer fabric layers, or include another fabric. Where aseparate pouch is provided between the inner and outer fabric layers,the pouch may be arranged and oriented in a predetermined enhancedsliding relationship to the first inner fabric layer and/or second outerfabric layer. Pocket 52 may include fasteners 56 to hold the pocketclosed during use. Fasteners 56 may include, but are not limited to,buttons, snaps, zippers, and/or hook and loop fasteners. In someembodiments, pad 54 may be partially or entirely covered by a thirdfabric layer having a third direction. The fabric layers may be arrangedwith a predetermined orientation of the third direction and either orboth of the first direction and the second direction to provide enhancedsliding of the third fabric layer containing pad. The third fabric layermay be formed of the same fabric as the first fabric layer or the secondfabric layer, or from another fabric arrangement. In some embodimentsthe third fabric layer may have a smooth planar surface. The thirdfabric layer may be joined, such as by adhesive, to the pad. Pad 54 maybe made from a variety of materials including, but not limited to,plastic, metal, and/or reactive padding materials. In one embodiment pad54 may be made from d3o reactive padding by d3o lab.

While the present teachings have been described in conjunction withvarious embodiments and examples, it is not intended that the presentteachings be limited to such embodiments or examples. On the contrary,the present teachings encompass various alternatives, modifications, andequivalents, as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art.

Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings are by way ofexample only.

1. An abrasion-resistant garment comprising: a garment body including: afirst fabric layer having a first recovery property and a firstdirection; and a second fabric layer having a second recovery propertyand a second direction, wherein the first recovery property is greaterthan the second recovery property; wherein the second fabric layer isdisposed on the first fabric layer in a predetermined orientation of thefirst direction and the second direction that provides enhanced slidingof the second fabric layer along the first fabric layer.
 2. Theabrasion-resistant garment of claim 1, wherein a coefficient of frictionbetween the first fabric layer and second fabric layer is between0.15-0.5.
 3. The abrasion-resistant garment of claim 1, wherein acoefficient of friction between the first fabric layer and second fabriclayer is between 0.15-0.6.
 4. The abrasion-resistant garment of claim 1,wherein the predetermined orientation of the first and second directionsis defined by an angle of approximately 60° to 90° between the first andsecond direction.
 5. The abrasion-resistant garment of claim 1, whereinthe predetermined orientation of the first and second directions isdefined by an angle of approximately 45° to 90° between the first andsecond direction.
 6. The abrasion-resistant garment of claim 1, whereinthe first recovery property is substantially between 5% to 230% greaterthan the second recovery property.
 7. The abrasion-resistant garment ofclaim 1, wherein the first recovery property is substantially between10% to 230% greater than the second recovery property.
 8. Theabrasion-resistant garment of claim 1, wherein the first recoveryproperty is substantially between 15% to 230% greater than the secondrecovery property.
 9. The abrasion-resistant garment of claim 1, whereinthe first recovery property is substantially between 20% to 230% greaterthan the second recovery property.
 10. The abrasion-resistant garment ofclaim 1, wherein the first fabric layer is an inner layer and the secondfabric layer is an outer layer.
 11. The abrasion-resistant garment ofclaim 1, wherein the first and second fabric layers are provided at oneor more high risk areas of the garment.
 12. The abrasion-resistantgarment of claim 1, wherein the garment is selected from a groupconsisting of a shirt, jersey, jacket, vest, arm warmer, short, pants,tight, knicker, leg warmer, knee warmer, knee brace, sock, glove,baseball sliding short, undergarment, and chap.
 13. Anabrasion-resistant garment comprising: a garment body including: a firstfabric layer with a first fabric layer portion having a first direction;and a second fabric layer with a second fabric layer portion having asecond direction; wherein an area defined by the second fabric layerportion is greater than an area defined by the first fabric layerportion by 5% to 30%, and the second layer fabric portion is disposed onthe first fabric layer portion in a predetermined orientation of thefirst direction and the second direction that provides enhanced slidingof the second fabric layer portion along the first fabric layer portion.14. The abrasion-resistant garment of claim 13, wherein the area definedby the second fabric layer portion is greater than the area defined bythe first fabric layer portion by 5% to 15%.
 15. The abrasion-resistantgarment of claim 13, wherein a coefficient of friction between the firstfabric layer and second fabric layer is between 0.15-0.5.
 16. Theabrasion-resistant garment of claim 13, wherein a coefficient offriction between the first fabric layer and second fabric layer isbetween 0.15-0.6.
 17. The abrasion-resistant garment of claim 13,wherein the predetermined orientation of the first and second directionsis defined by an angle of approximately 60° to 90° between the first andsecond direction.
 18. The abrasion-resistant garment of claim 13,wherein the predetermined orientation of the first and second directionsis defined by an angle of approximately 45° to 90° between the first andsecond direction.
 19. The abrasion-resistant garment of claim 13,wherein the first fabric layer is an inner layer and the second fabriclayer is an outer layer.
 20. The abrasion-resistant garment of claim 13,wherein the first and second fabric layers are provided at one or morehigh risk areas of the garment.
 21. The abrasion-resistant garment ofclaim 13, wherein the garment is selected from a group consisting of ashirt, jersey, jacket, vest, arm warmer, short, pants, tight, knicker,leg warmer, knee warmer, knee brace, sock, glove, baseball slidingshort, undergarment, and chap.
 22. An abrasion-resistant garmentcomprising: a garment body including: a first fabric layer with a firstdirection; and a second fabric layer with a second direction, whereinthe second fabric layer is disposed on the first fabric layer in apredetermined orientation of the first direction and the seconddirection that provides enhanced sliding of the second fabric layeralong the first fabric layer, and wherein the first fabric layer issubject to a greater tensile load than the second fabric layer when thegarment is in a fitted state.
 23. The abrasion-resistant garment ofclaim 22, wherein a coefficient of friction between the first fabriclayer and second fabric layer is between 0.15-0.5.
 24. Theabrasion-resistant garment of claim 22, wherein a coefficient offriction between the first fabric layer and second fabric layer isbetween 0.15-0.6.
 25. The abrasion-resistant garment of claim 22,wherein the predetermined orientation of the first and second directionsis defined by an angle of approximately 60° to 90° between the first andsecond direction.
 26. The abrasion-resistant garment of claim 22,wherein the predetermined orientation of the first and second directionsis defined by an angle of approximately 45° to 90° between the first andsecond direction.
 27. The abrasion-resistant garment of claim 22,wherein the tensile load of the first fabric layer is substantiallybetween 5% to 230% greater than the tensile load in the second fabriclayer.
 28. The abrasion-resistant garment of claim 22, wherein thetensile load of the first fabric layer is substantially between 10% to230% greater than the tensile load in the second fabric layer.
 29. Theabrasion-resistant garment of claim 22, wherein the tensile load of thefirst fabric layer is substantially between 15% to 230% greater than thetensile load in the second fabric layer.
 30. The abrasion-resistantgarment of claim 22, wherein the tensile load of the first fabric layeris substantially between 20% to 230% greater than the tensile load inthe second fabric layer.
 31. The abrasion-resistant garment of claim 22,wherein the first fabric layer is an inner layer and the second fabriclayer is an outer layer.
 32. The abrasion-resistant garment of claim 22,wherein the first and second fabric layers are provided at one or morehigh risk areas of the garment.
 33. The abrasion-resistant garment ofclaim 22, wherein the garment is selected from a group consisting of ashirt, jersey, jacket, vest, arm warmer, short, pants, tight, knicker,leg warmer, knee warmer, knee brace, sock, glove, baseball slidingshort, undergarment, and chap.
 34. An abrasion-resistant garment,comprising: a garment body including a pocket having a first pocketfabric layer with a first direction; and a pad including a second padfabric layer with a second direction, the pad receivable in the pocket;wherein the pad is disposable in the pocket in a predeterminedorientation of the first direction and the second direction thatprovides enhanced sliding of the pad relative to the first pocket fabriclayer.
 35. The abrasion-resistant garment of claim 34, wherein acoefficient of friction between the first pocket fabric layer and secondpad fabric layer is between 0.15-0.5.
 36. The abrasion-resistant garmentof claim 34, wherein a coefficient of friction between the first pocketfabric layer and second pad fabric layer is between 0.15-0.6.
 37. Theabrasion-resistant garment of claim 34, wherein the predeterminedorientation of the first direction and second direction is defined by anangle of approximately 60° to 90° between the first direction and seconddirection.
 38. The abrasion-resistant garment of claim 34, wherein thepredetermined orientation of the first direction and second direction isdefined by an angle of approximately 45° to 90° between the firstdirection and second direction.
 39. The abrasion-resistant garment ofclaim 34, wherein the garment body further includes in localized areas,or substantially throughout the garment body, a first fabric layerhaving a first fabric layer direction, and a second fabric layer havinga second fabric layer direction, wherein the second fabric layer isdisposed on the first fabric layer with a predetermined orientation ofthe second fabric layer direction and the first fabric layer directionto provide enhanced sliding of the second fabric layer along the firstfabric layer.
 40. The abrasion-resistant garment of claim 34, whereinthe garment body further includes in localized areas, or substantiallythroughout the garment body, a first fabric layer having a firstrecovery property and a second fabric layer having a second recoveryproperty, wherein the second fabric layer is disposed on the firstfabric layer and the first recovery property is greater than the secondrecovery property.
 41. The abrasion-resistant garment of claim 34,wherein the garment is selected from a group consisting of a shirt,jersey, jacket, vest, arm warmer, short, pants, tight, knicker, legwarmer, knee warmer, knee brace, sock, glove, baseball sliding short,undergarment, and chap.